BUCKEYE HOOPS

Well i tell ya what, I am always sad when college football season ends, but the buckeye basketball squad is really helping me forget it for now. Being a die hard ohio state fan, when football ends, the sports season ends, but the basketball team is well on the rise. Everyone is talking about the guys coming in the next few years, but what about this years team? If I was there coach, they would drive me nuts, but man are they fun to watch or what? Right now they are 18-3, and 7-3 in the big ten. Currently they are 1/2 game behind the surprise Iowa Hawkeyes. Things seemed to be not on our side, with games in ann arbor and home against Illinois last week, but they prevailed in fantastic style. I have never seen a team launch so many three's from anywhere on the floor. Most coaches get upset when someone pushes it up the floor and just launches one, but not Coach Matta. He has a special style about him that has brought him success wherever he goes. He orchestrated a few tourney upsets for Butler and then took Xavier deep a few times as well. He is a proven winner and I am happy to have him at Ohio State. The man never quits coaching and he seems to have great relations with his players and assistant coaches. Now there are many questions out there asking if this team can make it far into the tournament. I am here to say yes they can. First off they play great defense. They lack defensive presence inside, but the guards are terrific. Sullinger, Butler, and Foster put pressure on their opponents all day. Did you see what Butler did to Dee Brown this weekend? Butler is very underrated if you ask me? In the ncaa tournament you need outstanding guard play to survive and we have it. It took me awhile to realize, but their style of play really wears on opponents. Most people think you wear out a defense by running your offense and running the clock, but that is untrue. Do you ever notice the bucks struggle some early and in most of their wins they pull away in the 2nd half. As much as they run and take quick shots, whether they make them or not, you are forcing the other team to get down the floor again. This is how they wear on them. Fortunately, lately, they have been making a ton of 3's. If they are off come tourney time, then they will have problems winning. I know that sounds real profound and obvious. They can keep the games close, but the lack of defense in the post will eventually get to them and they wont be able to pull it out. If foster and Butler can do what they have been, we are going to be one tough team to beat. I wouldnt mind seeing Butler d up on ol JJ redick come tourney time. That could make for an interesting match up, but we can only hope. I love watching these guys though. It is always exciting with them. Terence Dials has come around offensively as of late, but he is still a sissy on the defensive side, and a good big man usually dominates him rather easily. EX. Paul Davis from Michigan State. Anyway he has been a buckeye now since 1978, so I am ready for him to part and bring in Greg Oden. Hopefully he sticks around a few years if he is as good as advertised. Anyway, we still have wisconsin and michigan state on the road, and i would love to see them get even with the spartans after losing in double ot in columbus. The only real challenge at home is michigan, and they will be looking to get back at us after we beat their ass in ann arbor. Tressel and Matta probably get together at a bar sometimes and just talk about how they own michigan in their respective sports. I love it!!! Thats all for now, go bucks